Geriatric and Dementia care

Dr Santosh Jha, Med sup, Consultant Pulmonologist, Porvoo Transition Care explains about Geriatric and Dementia care:
Following are the 6 priorities to improve the quality of care of geriatric and dementia care:

1.Make care safer
2.Strengthen person and family engagement
3.Promote effective communication and coordination of care
4.Promote effective prevention and treatment
5.Work with communities to promote best practices of healthy living
6.Make care affordable

A geriatric person with dementia might become agitated when once-simple tasks become difficult. To limit challenges and ease frustration:
1.Schedule wisely. Establish a daily routine. Some tasks, such as bathing or medical appointments, are easier when the person is most alert and refreshed.
2.Take your time. Anticipate that tasks may take longer than they used to and schedule more time for them. Allow time for breaks during tasks.
3.Involve the person. Allow the person with dementia to do as much as possible with the least amount of assistance.
4.Provide simple instructions. People with dementia best understand clear, one-step communication.
5.Limit napping. Avoid multiple or prolonged naps during the day. This can minimize the risk of getting days and nights reversed.
6.Reduce distractions. Turn off the TV and minimize other distractions at mealtime and during conversations to make it easier for the person with dementia to focus.
7.Over time, a person with dementia will become more dependent. To reduce frustration, stay flexible and adapt your routine and expectations as needed.

Create a safe environment
Dementia impairs judgment and problem-solving skills, increasing a person's risk of injury. To promote safety:

1.Prevent falls. Avoid scatter rugs, extension cords and any clutter that could cause falls. Install handrails or grab bars in critical areas.
2.Use locks. Install locks on cabinets that contain anything potentially dangerous, such as medicine, alcohol, guns, toxic cleaning substances, dangerous utensils and tools.
3.Check water temperature. Lower the thermostat on the hot-water heater to prevent burns.
4.Take fire safety precautions. Keep matches and lighters out of reach. If the person with dementia smokes, always supervise smoking. Make sure a fire extinguisher is accessible and the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries.
Long-term care hospitals/transition care: These facilities provide extended hospital-level recovery and rehabilitative care to patients with severe injuries and clinically complex conditions (eg, severe stroke, severe trauma, multiple acute and chronic problems). These facilities are for patients who are expected to improve and return home but who need a longer period of time.